Direct Payments

If you decide you would like to receive a direct payment, your local authority will help you to understand how it all works. This will include things like how much payments will be, how often you will receive them, how to record what you spend and how they will check you are spending the money on the agreed support.

Direct payments offer flexibility, however some families do not like the responsibility of recording how much is spent and what the budget is spent on.

Families can vary the amount they spend each week and save spare money for a short break etc, however all direct payments must be spent on achieving the outcomes specified in the education, health and care plan.

The personalised approach means that what the personal budget is spent on will be different for each individual. However common examples include:

Employing a personal assistant

Equipment to help with communication and learning

Sports or cultural activities...

Support in joining in with local clubs and activities

Short breaks

Support in your home

Who can receive a direct payment?

The young person – if they have the capacity and are over compulsory school leaving age

The child or young person’s parents or carers

A person nominated by the young person (if they are over compulsory school leaving age) or their parents

The Review

Within the first 3 months of getting direct payments, your local authority must review how you are getting on. They might check: